Cathy Fitzgerald

I explore new ideas and practices for eco-social wellbeing by bringing art and non-art practices together in my creative practice see www.hollywoodforest.com. I also offer Ecoliteracy learning for the arts at www.haumea.site.

Through my practice and my PhD by Practice The Ecological Turn… (2018), I have developed a guiding theory-method framework to articulate the context and workings of long-term eco-social art practices. These vital practices activate ecoliteracy and agency for environmental change in communities. My thesis and accompanying audiovisual ebook are on my academia.edu page.

Much of my PhD drew on my experiences and challenges, and the review of others’ pioneering creative practices that are responding to ecological concerns. My own transversal practice reflects on the transformation of the small conifer plantation that I live with, Hollywood forest, toward new-to-Ireland, Close-to-Nature forestry. I bring previous experience in biological science research and interests in environmental philosophy, policy development and ecocide-Rights of Nature law developments into the mix.

Somehow an eco-social art practice allows me to connect and move across these various strands of interest to create a new agency for myself and the human and non-human neighbours I depend on and live with.

Hollywood forest is the smallest Close-to-Nature forest in Ireland; it’s growing happily near Mt Leinster and the Blackstairs mountains in South East Ireland.

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